Hybrid connector

Abstract

A hybrid connector is provided, by which the optical loss can be reduced. In the hybrid connector, a housing is provided integrally with receiving cylinders for holding sleeves. An end of the receiving cylinders, into which the corresponding sleeve is inserted, is provided with an engaging part, with which a shield case engages. The case has a spring property so that each optical element module received in the case can be pressed against the corresponding receiving cylinder and/or the corresponding sleeve when the case engages with the engaging parts.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A male hybrid connector comprising electric and optical connectors formed integrally with each other, 
       wherein the optical connector includes:  
       at least one optical element module having an optical element;  
       sleeves, each of which has an optical waveguide, provided in accordance with the number of the optical element modules;  
       a housing shared with the electric connector; and  
       a case for holding the optical element modules being enclosed within a shielding case,  
       wherein the housing is provided integrally with receiving cylinders for holding the sleeves, an end of each receiving cylinder, into which a cooperating sleeve is inserted, being provided with an engaging part which operates to engage the shielding case and  
       the shielding case having a property operative to longitudinally urge the case in a direction that each optical element module received in the shielding case is pressed against at least one of a cooperating receiving cylinder and a cooperating sleeve when the case, engaged by the engaging parts, is enclosed within the shielding case.  
     
     
       2. The male hybrid connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the shielding case is made of an electrically conductive metal sheet.